Time control device for water softening



March 24, 1959 F. H. WEBB 2,878,367

TIME CONTROL DEVICE FOR WATER SOFTENING Original Filed Dec. 30; 1952 Y 43 Sheets-Sheet 1 "Z- l i 7 l V INVENTOR.

FRANCIS H. WEBB MO/E A TTORNEY March 24, 1959 F. H. WEBB 2,878,867

- TIME CONTROL DEVICE FOR WATER SOFTENING Original Filed Dec. 30, 1952 3Sheets-Sheet 3 8 I47. 5- 2 i as 80 /50 84 lg] 8/ 3 Y vA64 85 /N VENTORFRANCIS H. WEBB BY ATTORNEY United States Patent TiMacoNTRoL DEVICE-FORWATER SOFTENING Francis H. Webb, Pasadena, Calif.

3 Claims. c1. 161-7) This application is a division of mypendingiapplication Serial No. 328,584, filed December 30', 1952, nowPatent No. 2,744,867, issued May 8, 1956.

My present invention relates to water softening apparatus of the generalcharacter embodied inmy Patent No. 2,670,328, issued January 15, 1954,and wherein it is the object to provide an apparatus which is fullyautomatic to regenerate the exchanger bedat predetermined time intervalsto insure a continuous supply of soft water; which'embodies apressurized and sealed brine tank eliminating the danger of overflowingand flooding the premises; which eliminates floats and float valves inthe brine tank; which eliminates an injector to raise brine from thebrine tank and deliver the brine to the exchanger bed; and which isquickly adjusted to regenerate at any desired time interval and hassufiicient salt storage capacity to care for the needs of the averagefamily for an entire year.

It is an object of my present invention to provide a water softeningapparatus having all of the above stated advantages, and in addition ischaracterized structurally and functionally to completely isolate thebrine tank from the softener tank except during regeneration, so as toobviate the possibility of salt water ever becoming mixed with the waterin the service line.

It is a further object of my present invention to provide a watersoftening apparatus which is structurally characterized by itscompactness and its improved func' tioning by means of a multi-port'sealed brine valve ele ment which is intimately associated bothstructurally and functionally with the main or master controlvalveelement, and which is operated and coritrolled' by an adjustable,automatic reset interval timer electrically driven to accuratelypredetermine the" brine feeding period of the regenerating cycle, thebrine valve element being; free from any and all contamination by saltwater which might adversely affect its operation. p

With these and other objects in view, this invention resides in thecombinations, arrangements and functional relationships of elements asset forth in the following specification and particularly pointed out inthe appended claims. V

In the accompanying drawings,

Figure 1 is a view in side elevation with" parts: in section, of oneform of water softening apparatus embodying my present invention; y

.Figure2 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view of the master andbrine valve elements of the apparatus in" service position; V a V Figure3 is a view similar to Figure 2 and showing the master and brine valveelements in regenerating position;

Figure 4 is a vertical transverse sectional view taken on the line'44 ofFigure 3; and I Figure 5 is a diagrammatic viewof the electricalcircuits embodied in the water softening apparatus;

R'eferring specifically to the drawings, invention in its" presentvembodiment broadly comprises" a softener 2,878,867 Fret d.Met-241.19?

The softener tank S which may be of plastic lined" sheet metalconstr'uction,'is provided'with a bottom layer;

of gravel 10 on which is placeda'la'yer' of filtering sand;

11, above which latter is the exchanger bed preferably of" Zeolite.

The brine tank B is of similar construction and is provided with a topfilling'opening adapted to be closed fluid-tight by aremovable cap 13.softener salt is supplied to the' brine' tank for mixing with sufficientwater to form a saturated solution.

The valve elements V and" Vare intimately arranged both structurally andfunctionally in a' single compact unit comprising a body 20, which isbored to provide hydraulic cylinders 21' and 22 disposed side by side infrom an outlet 29 and from a restricted orifice 30 inia nipple 31 screwthreaded at 32 intothe lower end of'tlie body. 7

Intermediate the ends of the stem 25 are fixed valves 35 and 36, theformer of which has fluid sealing engage ment with an annular seat 37 inthe service position of the master valveelement V, so as to disconnect adrain port 38 of a drain pipe 39 from a port 40 which is placed incommunication with the softener tank S near the top thereof by aperforate pipe 41 (Figure 1).

In the service position of the valve element V, the valve 36 isdisengaged from an annular seat 43 in the body 20, so as to place thehard water inlet 28 in communication with the port 40 for the deliveryof hard water to the top of the softener tank 8 through the pipe 41. Theannular seat 37 is formed in a cylindrical seat meinfber 50, the endportions of which fit snugly in cylindri cal bores 51 and 52 in the body20, and are provided with sealing rings 53 and 54'; The central portionof the seat member 50 is reduced in diameter to provide an annularpassage 55 in the body 20 opening to the drain port 38 and to theannular seat 37 by means of an annular passage 56 in the seat membersurrounding the stem 25, all as clearly shown in Figures 2 and 3.

The seat member 50 is provided with an annular flange 58 which is heldagainst an annular shoulder 59 in the body 20 bya removable pin 60 onthe end of a screw 61 screwed into the body as shown in Figure 2. A coilspring 62 surrounds the stem 25 between the seat member 50 and thepiston 23 to urge the valve element V to the service position shownflinFigure 2. A breather port 63 is provided in the body 20 for the cylinder21 to relieve same of pressure during movements of the piston 23.

Movement of the piston 23 to the regenerating position shown in Figure 4is effected hydraulically under the control of an electrically operatedneedle valve 70 which normally gravitates to seal fluid-tight, an inletport 71 formed in a head 72 closing the upper ends of the cylinders 21and 22 and removably secured to the body 29. The inlet port 71 is placedin communication with the hard water inlet 28 through ducts 73. and '74in the body and a duct' 75 in thehe'ad 72; so that uponrop'ene ing ofthe needlevalve 70, water from the inlet 28 will flow into the cylinder21 so as to act'upon the piston 23;

The usual asvaas'r The needle valve 70. is mounted in the hollow core ofa solenoid 81 supported on the head 72 and enclosed in a cover 82removably secured to the head. The core 80 is reciprocable freely in atube.83 in the solenoid winding 84, and the needle valve 70 is providedwith a stop flange 85 co-acting with a plug 86 in the end of the core 80to provide a lost motion connection between the needle valve and core ina direction axially thereof. Thus, upon energization of the solenoid 81the core will first be drawn into the tube 83 until the plug 86 engagesthe flange 85, whereupon the needle valve 70 will be jerked free of theport 71 to insure opening of the port for the flow of water into thecylinder 21 to effect movement of the piston 23 to its regeneratingposition shown in Figure 3.

A relief duct 90 in the head 72, communicating with a duct 91 in thebody 20, connects the cylinder 21 with the drain port, 38 through arestricted or bleed port 92 so as to permit water introduced into thecylinder to discharge therefrom into the drain pipe 39 when the needlevalve 70 has been restored to its closed position, all so as to enablethe piston 23 to return to its service position shown in Figure 2, underthe action of the spring 62.

Current is supplied to the solenoid 81 to energize same at predeterminedintervals when it is desired that regeneration be effected, and tomaintain the solenoid encrgized for a predetermined time intervalnecessary to com plete the brining and rinsing portions of aregenerating cycle, by operation of the program timing clock P whosemicro switch 95 is placed in circuit with the solenoid throughconductors 96 and 97 from a suitable source of current supply.

Connected to the nipple 31 is one end of a brine pipe 100, the other endof which is connected by a cleanout fitting 101 to a pipe 102 extendinginto the softener tank 5 close to the bottom thereof and being providedwith a large number of ports 103. Intermediate its ends, the pipe isprovided with a T fitting 104 the lateral branch of which is connectedthrough a check valve 105 to an outlet pipe 106 for delivering softwater to the service line.

By means of a pipe 108, the outlet 29 is placed in communication withthe outlet pipe 106 through the body of the check valve 105 so as toprovide a by-pass connection for the delivery of hard water from thesupply pipe 28 to the service line during regeneration.

The piston 24 of the valve element V is fixed to one end of a stem 110to the other end of which is fixed a valve 111, which, in the serviceposition of the valve elements shown in Figure 2, has fluid-sealingengagement with an annular seat 112 in the body 20, to disconnect thehard water inlet 28 from a pipe 113 leading to the top of the brine tankB (Figure 1).

Intermediate its ends the stem 110 is provided with a valve 115 which inthe service position of the valve elements has fluid-sealing engagementwith an annular seat 116 in a cylindrical seat member 117 slidablyreceiving the stem, to disconnect a brine inlet port 118 from a brineoutlet port 119, the port 118 being in communication with the brine tankB at a point near the bottom thereof through a pipe 120, and the port119 being in communication with the bottom of the softener tank Sthrough a pipe 121. The pipe 121 leads from the port 119 to an annularchamber 122 surrounding the nipple 31 in the body 20 and incommunication with the interior of the nipple below the restrictedorifice 30 by means of radial ports 123 in the nipple. Between thevalves 112 and 115 the stem 110 is provided with a sealing ring 124 tocom pletely isolate the brine and water from each other to insure thatno brine can enter the hard water inlet 28.

The seat member 117 is confined in a bore 125 in the body against anannular shoulder 126 therein, by a set screw 127 entering an annulargroove 128 in the member. The, seat member 117 is reduced in diameterbetween its sealed ends to form an annular passage 129 between the seatmember and body, with which the port 119 directly communicates.

The end portion of the bore 130 of the seat member which receives thestem 110 is enlarged in diameter to provide an annular passage 131containing the valve seat 116 and communicating at one end with radialports 132 in the seat member opening into the annular passage 129. Inthe position of the valve element V shown in Figures 3 and 4, theannular passage 131 is in communication with the port 118 so as topermit brine to flow therefrom to the pipe 121 as will be clear fromFigure 4.

Movement of the piston 24 to the position shown in Figures 3 and 4 isefiected hydraulically when the piston 23 is moved to regeneratingposition, under the control of an electrically operated needle valve170. The valve normally gravitates to seal fluid-tight an inlet port 171formed in the head 72 and communicating with the hard water inlet 28through the duct 75 which is common to both ports 71 and 171 as clearlyshown in Figures 2 and 3, all so that upon opening of the needle valve170, water from the inlet 28 will flow into the cylinder 22 so as to actupon the piston 24.

The needle valve 170 is mounted in the hollow core of a solenoid 181supported on the head 72 and also enclosed in the cover 82. The core 180is reciprocable freely in a tube 183 in the solenoid winding 184, andthe needle valve 170 is provided with a stop flange 185 co-acting with aplug 186 in an end of the core 180 to provide a lost motion operativeconnection between the needle valve and core functioning in the samemanner as with the previously described needle valve 70.

The relief duct 90 in the head 72 is extended to communicate with theport 171 through a restricted or bleed orifice 192 so as to permit waterintroduced into the cylinder 22 to discharge therefrom into the drainpipe 39 when the needle valve 170 has been restored to its closedposition, all so as to enable the piston 24 to return to its serviceposition shown in Figure 2, under the action of a coil spring 195surrounding the stern 110 and interposed between the seat member 117 andthe piston 24.

Current is supplied to the solenoid 181 through conductors 196 and 197to energize the solenoid during a predetermined brining portion of theregenerating cycle, under the control of the interval timer T having amicro switch 200. The solenoid is maintained deenergized during thefollowing rinsing portion of the regenerating cycle by the intervaltimer T which then completes a circuit through conductors 201 and 202 toenergize a holding coil 203 which maintains the circuit to the solenoid181 broken as will be more fully described in the operation of theinvention which is as follows:

With the valve elements V and V in the service position shown in Figure2, hard water from the usual domestic source of supply will be free toflow through the inlet 28 past the open valve 36 and through the outletport 40 and pipe 41 into the top of the softener tank S, then downwardlythrough the exchanger bed 12, sand 11 and gravel 10, so as to berendered soft by the chemical action of the bed 12, then through thepipes 103, 100, T fitting 104 and check valve 105 to the soft waterservice pipe 106.

As an example, let it be assumed that the program timing clock P hasbeen set for regeneration of the softener tank S one a week, say at 2.00am. on Sunday, and that the regeneration period is forty-five minuteswhich has been based on the hardness of the water in the area drawnfrom, as well as on the amount of water used on the premises.Furthermore, let it be assumed that the automatic reset timer T has beenset for a predetermined length of brining period such as five minutes atthe beginning of regeneration.

When regeneration time arrives, the clock P closes the current supplycircuit through the micro switch 95 to energize the solenoid 81 throughconductors 96 and 97 and to energize the solenoid 181 through theconductors 196, 197 and the micro switch 200 of the timer T, as well asto start the clock of the timer T through conductors 204 and 205 (Figure5).

Upon energization of the solenoids 81 and 181, their respective needlevalves 70 and 170 will be jerked open to enable water from the inlet 28to flow through ducts 73, 74 and 75 and ports 71 and 171 into therespective cylinders 21 and 22 so as to act upon the pistons 23 and 24and move same against their springs 62 and 195, thus moving the valveelements V and V to the regenerating position, all as shown in Figure 3.

The valve 36 is now closed, thus discontinuing the supply of hard waterto the top of the softener tank S, whereas the valve 111 is now open sothat water from the inlet 28 is free to flow through the duct 73, pipe113 into the top of the brine tank B. Hard water for use on the premisesis now available from the inlet 28, pipe 108 and pipe 106 (Figures 1 and3).

The brine tank is thus placed under pressure so as to force brineupwardly through the pipe 120 past the open valve 115, through pipe 121,nipple 31, pipes 100 and 102 into the bottom of the softener tank S soas to be forced successively through the gravel 10, sand 11 and theexchanger bed 12. The fiow of brine is accelerated by the high velocityjet of water discharging from the restricted orifice 30 of the nipple31. Water in the softener tank in advance of the incoming brine isforced thereby through the pipe 41, port 40, annular passage 56, radialports 57, annular passage 55, drain port 38 into the drain pipe 39.

When the interval for which the time has been set has elapsed, the triparm 210 of the timer actuates the spring armature blade 211 of the microswitch 200 to open the circuit to the brine solenoid 181 through theconductors 196 and 197, and to stop driving the clock mechanism of thetimer. The micro switch 200 now functions to complete a circuit to theholding coil 203 through the conductors 201 and 202 so that the coilwill co-act with the armature blade 211 in maintaining the solenoiddeenergized during the remainder of the regenerating cycle, while thetimer T will be free to automatically reset.

The needle valve 170 gravitates to its closed position with respect tothe port 171, thus rendering the spring 195 free to restore the piston24 to its position shown in Figure 2, as Water in the cylinder 24 isforced therefrom by the piston past the restricted port 192, ducts 90,91, annular passage 55, and port 38 to the drain pipe 39.

The flow of water to the brine tank and the flow of brine to thesoftener tank S are now discontinued, and the rinsing of brine from thesoftener tank is started so as to remove calcium chloride which has beendisplaced by the sodium chloride solution. This rinsing is accomplishedby the continued flow of water through the restricted orifice 30 of thenipple 31, and is calculated to fiow through the softener tank at therate of approximately one and three-quarter gallons per minute until theregenerating period has elapsed.

The program clock P now breaks the circuit to the solenoid 81 and to theholding coil 203, thus permitting the armature blade 211 of the timer Tto return to its normal position, and permitting the needle valve 70 togravitate to its closed position with respect to the port 71.

The spring 62 is now free to act in restoring the piston 23 to itsservice position as water in the cylinder 21 is forced therefrom throughthe restricted orifice 92, ducts 90 and 91, passage 55, port 38 anddrain pipe 39. The closing of the valve 35 discontinues the flow ofwater from the softener tank S through the pipe 41 into the drain pipe39, whereas the opening of the valve 36 will again deliver hard waterfrom the inlet 28 to the softener tank through the pipe 41. As the valve26 is now closed, the flow of rinsing water to the bottom or thesoftener tank through the orifice 30 is also discontinued.

The apparatus is now ready to deliver soft water to the service lineuntil the next regenerating period arrives. The brine tank B is alsorelieved of pressure so that salt may be added at any time duringservice of the apparatus.

By the provision of the brine valve element V' and its structural andfunctional relationship to the master valve elevent V in a singlecompact unit, positive and synchronized operation of the valve elementsas well as the complete isolation of the brine from the service line isassured. Furthermore, the construction of the brine valve element V andthe manner in which the brine is conducted therethrough eliminates thecorrosive and contaminating eifect of brine upon delicate working parts,and insures highly efiicient, service-free operation of the apparatusindefinitely.

I claim:

, 1. Time controlled mechanism for master and brine valve elements ofwater softening apparatus comprising: two operating devices for thevalve elements; electrical circuits including a time clock having aswitch; an interval timer having a switch and a holding device therefor;means operatively connecting both of said operating devices andswitches, through which current is supplied to both of said operatingdevices through said switches at a predetermined time for which saidtime clock is set; and means operatively connecting the holding deviceand interval timer, through which current is supplied to the holdingdevice upon opening of the interval timer switch, to hold the intervaltimer switch open and disrupt the circuit thereat to the respective oneof said operating devices.

2. Time controlled mechanism for master and brine valve elements ofwater softening apparatus comprising: two electromagnetic operatingdevices, one for each of the valve elements; electrical circuitsincluding a time clock having a switch; an interval timer having aswitch and a holding device therefor; means operatively con necting bothof said operating devices and switches, through which current issupplied to both operating devices through the first and second saidswitches at a predetermined time for which said time clock is set; andmeans operatively connecting said holding device and interval timer,through which current is supplied to the holding device upon opening ofthe interval timer switch, to hold the latter open and disrupt thecircuit thereat to one of said operating devices.

3. Time controlled mechanism for master and brine valve elements ofwater softening apparatus comprising: two electromagnetic operatingdevices, one for each of said valve elements; electrical circuitsincluding a time clock having a switch; an interval timer having aswitch and a holding coil; means operatively connecting both of saidoperating devices and switches, through which current is supplied toboth operating devices through the first and second said switches at apredetermined time for which said time clock is set; and meansoperatively connecting the holding coil and interval timer, throughwhich current is supplied to the holding coil upon opening of theinterval timer switch, to hold the interval timer switch open anddisrupt the circuit thereat to the respective one of said operatingdevices.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,910,011 Griswold et al. May 23, 1933 2,265,225 Clark Dec. 9, 19412,596,915 Pick May 13, 1952 2,631,665 Perrin Mar. 17, 1953 2,636,560Rogers Apr. 28, 1953 2,689,218 Waugh Sept. 14, 1954

